Question

A ball is rolled continuously up a hill, another bounces around a basketball court for awhile after being dropped by a child, a third ball falls to the earth, and a fourth rolls down a hill. Which of these events is a spontaneous process? Select all that apply

the ball being rolled up the hill
the bouncing of the basketball
the ball falling to earth
the ball rolling down the hill

Answer 1

the bouncing of the basketball

the ball falling to earth

the ball rolling down the hill

Step-by-step explanation:

A spontaneous process is capable of proceeding in a given direction without needing to be driven by an outside source of energy.

• When the ball is rolled continuously up a hill: It is a non - spontaneous process as energy is supplied to the ball in order to overcome gravity.
• When the ball bounces around a basketball court for a while after being dropped by a child: It is a spontaneous process as the bouncing of the basketball is simply following gravity and natural mechanics.
• When a third ball falls to the earth: It is a spontaneous process because there is not outside source of energy as gravity pulls the ball as it falls to the earth.
• When the ball is rolling down hill: It is a spontaneous process because no outside source of energy is acting on the ball. The ball rolls down the hill due to gravity.